U.S. patent number 10,126,270 [Application Number 15/176,401] was granted by the patent office on 2018-11-13 for two-dimensional tr probe array.
This patent grant is currently assigned to General Electric Company. The grantee listed for this patent is General Electric Company. Invention is credited to Mark Howard Feydo, Wolf-Dietrich Kleinert.
United States Patent |
10,126,270 |
Kleinert , et al. |
November 13, 2018 |
Two-dimensional TR probe array
Abstract
An ultrasonic sensor assembly includes a flexible supporting
material that has flexibility configured for allowing bending of
the supporting material to conform to a cylindrical shape of a
pipe. The assembly includes a plurality of operable sensor elements
arranged in a matrix formation upon the flexible supporting
material. The matrix formation includes a plurality of rows of the
sensor elements and a plurality of columns of the sensor elements.
The flexible supporting material is configured for placement of the
columns of the matrix formation to extend along the elongation of
the pipe and the flexible supporting material is configured for
placement of the rows of the matrix formation to extend transverse
to the elongation of the pipe. The flexible support material is
configured to flex for positioning the sensor elements within each
row in a respective arc that follows a curve of the cylinder shape
of the pipe.
Inventors: |
Kleinert; Wolf-Dietrich (Bonn,
DE), Feydo; Mark Howard (Reedsville, PA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
General Electric Company |
Schenectady |
NY |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
General Electric Company
(Schenectady, NY)
|
Family
ID: |
49622901 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/176,401 |
Filed: |
June 8, 2016 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20160282309 A1 |
Sep 29, 2016 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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13680183 |
Nov 19, 2012 |
9404896 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01N
29/043 (20130101); G01N 29/22 (20130101); G01N
2291/106 (20130101); G01N 2291/0289 (20130101); G01N
2291/044 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G01N
29/22 (20060101); G01N 29/04 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;73/628 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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10018355 |
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Dec 2001 |
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DE |
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102012201715 |
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Sep 2012 |
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DE |
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1348954 |
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Oct 2003 |
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EP |
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2008155645 |
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Dec 2008 |
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WO |
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2009015940 |
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Feb 2009 |
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WO |
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2012056218 |
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May 2012 |
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WO |
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2014023938 |
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Feb 2014 |
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WO |
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Other References
International Search Report and Written Opinion issued in
connection with corresponding PCT Application No. PCT/US2013/068638
dated Jun. 4, 2014. cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Saint Surin; J M
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky and
Popeo, P.C.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for testing a tubular pipe having a cylindrical shape
and having an elongation along the extent of the pipe using an
ultrasonic sensor assembly, the method comprising: providing the
ultrasonic sensor assembly comprising: a flexible supporting
material having flexibility configured for allowing bending of the
supporting material to conform to the cylindrical shape of the
pipe; and a plurality of operable sensor elements arranged in a
matrix formation upon the flexible supporting material, the matrix
formation comprising a plurality of rows of the sensor elements and
a plurality of columns of the sensor elements, wherein the flexible
supporting material being configured for placement of the columns
of the matrix formation to extend along the elongation of the pipe
and the flexible supporting material being configured for placement
of the rows of the matrix formation to extend transverse to the
elongation of the pipe, with the flexible support material being
configured to flex for positioning the sensor elements within each
row in a respective arc that follows a curve of the cylinder shape
of the pipe; placing the ultrasonic sensor assembly onto the pipe
comprising: engaging the flexible supporting material to the pipe
to place the columns of the matrix formation extending along the
elongation of the pipe and the rows of the matrix formation
extending transverse to the elongation of the pipe; and bending the
flexible support material for positioning the sensor elements
within each row in a respective arc that follows a curve of the
cylinder shape of the pipe; and operating the sensor elements.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing the
ultrasonic sensor assembly includes providing the assembly such
that the supporting material is configured to be a resilient
member.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing the
ultrasonic sensor assembly includes providing the assembly such
that the supporting material includes a polyimide material.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing the
ultrasonic sensor assembly includes providing the assembly such
that the supporting material includes an engineering plastic.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing the
ultrasonic sensor assembly includes providing the assembly such
that each sensor element the sensor element includes a transmitter
and a receiver.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing the
ultrasonic sensor assembly includes providing the assembly such
that the sensor elements are configured to map a location of a
characteristic in the pipe.
7. The method of claim 5, wherein the test object has an outer
surface and, and the step of providing the ultrasonic sensor
assembly includes providing the assembly such that for each sensor
element, the flexible supporting material and the transmitter are
configured such that the transmitter is supported by the flexible
supporting material at a spaced distance away from the outer
surface of the test object.
8. The method of claim 5, wherein the test object has an outer
surface and, and the step of providing the ultrasonic sensor
assembly includes providing the assembly such that for each sensor
element, the flexible supporting material and the receiver are
configured such that the receiver is supported by the flexible
supporting material at a spaced distance away from the outer
surface of the test object.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
Benefit of priority is hereby claimed from U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 13/680,183, filed Nov. 19, 2012, entitled TWO-DIMENSIONAL
TR PROBE ARRAY, the entire disclosure of which is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to ultrasonic sensor
assemblies, and more particularly, to an ultrasonic sensor assembly
including a sensor array of sensor elements.
Discussion of the Prior Art
Ultrasonic sensor assemblies are known and used in many different
applications. Ultrasonic sensor assemblies are used, for example,
to inspect a test object and detect/identify characteristics of the
test object, such as corrosion, voids, inclusions, length,
thickness, etc. In pipeline corrosion monitoring applications, the
test object typically includes a metallic pipe. In such an example,
a transmitter-receiver ("TR") probe is provided for
detecting/identifying the characteristics of the pipe. However a
single TR probe occupies a relatively small area and, thus, has a
relatively small testing range. Also, the pipe may have an arcuate
contour surface. Detecting characteristics of the entire pipe with
one TR probe can be inaccurate and time consuming. Accordingly, it
would be beneficial to provide an ultrasonic sensor assembly that
can address such issues. Further, it would be beneficial to provide
this sensor array with a contoured shape that matches the shape of
the test object.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in
order to provide a basic understanding of some example aspects of
the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the
invention. Moreover, this summary is not intended to identify
critical elements of the invention nor delineate the scope of the
invention. The sole purpose of the summary is to present some
concepts of the invention in simplified form as a prelude to the
more detailed description that is presented later.
In accordance with one aspect, the present invention provides an
ultrasonic sensor assembly for testing a tubular pipe that has a
cylindrical shape and has an elongation along the extent of the
pipe. The ultrasonic sensor assembly includes a flexible supporting
material that has flexibility configured for allowing bending of
the supporting material to conform to the cylindrical shape of the
pipe. The ultrasonic sensor assembly includes a plurality of
operable sensor elements arranged in a matrix formation upon the
flexible supporting material. The matrix formation includes a
plurality of rows of the sensor elements and a plurality of columns
of the sensor elements. The flexible supporting material is
configured for placement of the columns of the matrix formation to
extend along the elongation of the pipe and the flexible supporting
material is configured for placement of the rows of the matrix
formation to extend transverse to the elongation of the pipe. The
flexible support material is configured to flex for positioning the
sensor elements within each row in a respective arc that follows a
curve of the cylinder shape of the pipe.
In accordance with another aspect, the present invention provides a
method for testing a tubular pipe that has a cylindrical shape and
that has an elongation along the extent of the pipe using an
ultrasonic sensor assembly. The method includes providing the
ultrasonic sensor assembly. The assembly includes a flexible
supporting material that has flexibility configured for allowing
bending of the supporting material to conform to the cylindrical
shape of the pipe. The assembly includes a plurality of operable
sensor elements arranged in a matrix formation upon the flexible
supporting material. The matrix formation includes a plurality of
rows of the sensor elements and a plurality of columns of the
sensor elements. The flexible supporting material is configured for
placement of the columns of the matrix formation to extend along
the elongation of the pipe and the flexible supporting material is
configured for placement of the rows of the matrix formation to
extend transverse to the elongation of the pipe. The flexible
support material is configured to flex for positioning the sensor
elements within each row in a respective arc that follows a curve
of the cylinder shape of the pipe. The method includes placing the
ultrasonic sensor assembly onto the pipe. The step of placing the
assembly includes engaging the flexible supporting material to the
pipe to place the columns of the matrix formation extending along
the elongation of the pipe and the rows of the matrix formation
extending transverse to the elongation of the pipe. The step of
placing the assembly includes bending the flexible support material
for positioning the sensor elements within each row in a respective
arc that follows a curve of the cylinder shape of the pipe. The
method includes operating the sensor elements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing and other aspects of the present invention will
become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present
invention relates upon reading the following description with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic, perspective view of an example ultrasound
sensor assembly being used a test object in accordance with an
aspect of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an example sensor array of the
ultrasound sensor assembly;
FIG. 3 is a schematic view of one example sensor element for use in
the sensor array of FIG. 2; and
FIG. 4 is a schematic, perspective view of the example sensor array
being moved with respect to the test object.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Example embodiments that incorporate one or more aspects of the
present invention are described and illustrated in the drawings.
These illustrated examples are not intended to be a limitation on
the present invention. For example, one or more aspects of the
present invention can be utilized in other embodiments and even
other types of devices. Moreover, certain terminology is used
herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation
on the present invention. Still further, in the drawings, the same
reference numerals are employed for designating the same
elements.
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an example ultrasonic
sensor assembly 10 according to one aspect of the invention. In
short summary, the ultrasonic sensor assembly 10 includes a
controller 20 and a sensor array 30 that can be positioned in
proximity to a test object 12. The sensor array 30 transmits
ultrasonic waves into the test object 12 to detect characteristics
of the test object 12. These characteristics include corrosion
(e.g., thickness and location of corrosion), wall thickness, voids,
inclusions, etc. The sensor array 30 is operatively attached to the
controller 20 by means of a wire 22 (or may be wireless). To
provide improved sensing of the test object 12, the sensor array 30
includes a plurality of sensor elements arranged in a two
dimensional array.
The test object 12 is shown to include a tubular pipe having a
generally cylindrical shape extending between a first end 14 and an
opposing second end 16. The test object 12 can include a non-solid
body (e.g., hollow body) or may be solid. It is to be appreciated
that the test object 12 is somewhat generically/schematically
depicted in FIG. 1 for ease of illustration. Indeed, the test
object 12 is not limited to the pipe extending along a linear axis,
and may include bends, undulations, curves, or the like. The test
object 12 has an outer surface 18 forming a generally cylindrical
shape. In other examples, the test object 12 could include other
non-cylindrical shapes and sizes. For example, the test object 12
could have a non-circular cross-sectional shape, such as by having
a square or rectangular cross-section. In other examples, the test
object 12 further includes a tubular shape, conical shape, or the
like. Even further, the test object is not limited to pipes, but
instead, could include walls, planar or non-planar surfaces, etc.
As such, the test object 12 shown in FIG. 1 comprises only one
possible example of the test object.
Turning to the controller 20, the controller is somewhat
generically/schematically depicted. In general, the controller 20
can include any number of different configurations. In one example,
the controller 20 is operatively attached to the sensor array 30 by
means of the wire 22. As will be described in more detail below,
the controller 20 is configured to send and receive information
(e.g., data, control instructions, etc.) from the sensor array 30
through the wire 22. This information can be related to
characteristics of the test object 12. For example, in pipeline
corrosion monitoring applications, the test object 12 may be
susceptible to imperfections, such as corrosion, cracks, voids,
inclusions, or the like. As such, this information includes, but is
not limited to, dimensions of the test object 12 (e.g., thickness,
length, etc.), the presence or absence of corrosion for corrosion
mapping, cracks, or the like. The controller 20 can include
circuits, processors, running programs, memories, computers, power
supplies, ultrasound contents, or the like. In further examples,
the controller 20 includes a user interface, display, and/or other
devices for allowing a user to control the ultrasonic sensor
assembly 10.
Focusing upon the operation of the sensor array 30, the sensor
array 30 is placed in proximity to the outer surface 18 of the test
object 12 and/or in contact with the outer surface 18. The
ultrasonic sensor assembly 10 can include a single sensor array (as
shown), or a plurality of sensor arrays. The sensor array 30 is not
limited to the position shown in FIG. 1, as the sensor array 30 is
moved along the outer surface 18 of the test object 12. Indeed, the
sensor array 30 could be positioned at any number of locations
along the test object 12, such as closer towards a center, closer
towards the first end 14 or second end 16, etc. In one example, the
sensor array 30 has a shape that substantially matches a shape of
the outer surface 18 of the test object 12. For instance, as shown
in FIG. 1, the sensor array 30 includes a curvature that
substantially matches a curvature of the test object 12. The
curvature could be larger or smaller in further examples, depending
on the size and shape of the test object 12. However, in other
examples, the sensor array 30 need not have such a curvature, and
may instead have a substantially planar shape.
Turning now to FIG. 2, the sensor array 30 will be described in
more detail. The sensor array 30 is not shown in proximity to the
test object 12 in FIG. 2 for illustrative purposes and to more
clearly illustrate the elements of the sensor array 30. However, in
operation, the sensor array 30 is placed in proximity to the test
object 12 as described with respect to FIG. 1.
The sensor array 30 can include a supporting material 32 that
provides support to the sensor array 30. In one example, the
supporting material 32 is a resilient member having a predetermined
shape. The supporting material 32 can be non-flexible or, in other
examples, could be provided with some degree of flexibility or
movement. As described above, the supporting material 32 can
include the curved shape that matches the shape of the outer
surface 18 of the test object 12. However, the supporting material
32 could also include the substantially planar shape. The
supporting material 32 can include any number of materials, such as
engineering plastics, polyimide materials, etc. In further
examples, the supporting material 32 could include a flexible or
semi-flexible member, allowing for the supporting material 32 to be
bent or molded to a desired shape.
The sensor array 30 further includes one or more sensor elements 34
for detecting characteristics of the test object 12. The sensor
elements 34 are somewhat generically depicted in FIG. 2, as the
sensor elements 34 include a number of different sizes, shapes, and
configurations. As shown in FIG. 2, the sensor elements 34 are
arranged in a matrix formation. In the matrix formation, the sensor
elements 34 may include one or more rows 36 extending along a first
direction (e.g. a first axis). Within the shown example of FIG. 2,
the first axis 38 extends generally linearly along the sensor array
30. Of course, if the array 30 has a curvature, the first direction
can follow along such curvature.
The rows 36 each include a plurality of the sensor elements 34. In
the shown example, the rows 36 each include eight sensor elements
34 (as shown) in a sequence, though the rows 36 could include as
few as one or more sensor elements or greater than eight sensor
elements. The sensor elements 34 within each of the rows 36 are
generally equidistant from each other, such that the sensor
elements 34 are substantially equally spaced from adjacent sensor
elements along the length of the sensor array 30. In further
examples, the sensor elements 34 could be spaced closer together or
farther apart than as shown. In the shown example, there are eight
rows arranged in a non-staggered orientation (i.e., one row above
another row), though in further examples, the rows 36 could be
staggered with respect to adjacent rows.
The matrix formation of the sensor array 30 further includes one or
more columns 40 extending along a second direction (e.g., a second
axis). Within the shown example, the second axis 42 extends
generally linearly along the sensor array 30 in a direction that is
substantially transverse to the first axis 38. For example, the
second axis 42 can be perpendicular to the first axis 38. However,
in further examples, the second axis 42 is not so limited to this
transverse orientation, and could extend at other angles with
respect to the first axis 38. Of course if the array 30 has a
curvature, the second direction can follow the curvature.
Each of the columns 40 includes a plurality of the sensor elements
34. In the shown example, the columns 40 can each include eight
sensor elements in a sequence, though the columns 40 could include
as few as one or more sensor elements or greater than eight sensor
elements. The sensor elements 34 within each of the columns 40 are
generally equidistant from each other, such that the sensor
elements 34 are substantially equally spaced from adjacent sensor
elements along the length of the sensor array 30. In further
examples, the sensor elements 34 could be spaced closer together or
farther apart than as shown. By spacing the sensor elements 34
apart, signal cross talk between sensor elements 34 is
limited/reduced. In the shown example, there are eight columns
arranged in a non-staggered orientation (i.e., one column next to
another column), though in further examples, the columns 40 could
be staggered with respect to adjacent columns.
The matrix formation of the sensor array 30 includes the rows 36
and columns 40 as shown in FIG. 2. In the shown example, there are
a total of eight rows and eight columns. As such, the sensor
elements 34 in the matrix formation include an 8.times.8 matrix
formation. It is to be appreciated that the matrix formation is not
limited to the 8.times.8 matrix formation. In further examples, the
matrix formation could be larger or smaller than as shown, such as
by including a 9.times.9 matrix formation (or larger), or by
including a 7.times.7 matrix formation (or smaller).
In further examples, the matrix formation is not limited to
including an equal number of sensor elements 34 in each of the
columns 40 and rows 36. Rather, the matrix formation may include
columns 40 and rows 36 having different numbers of sensor elements
34. In some examples, the matrix formation includes an 8.times.6
matrix formation, a 6.times.8 matrix formation, or the like. In
other examples, each of the rows and/or each of the columns could
have a different number of sensor elements 34 than in adjacent rows
or columns, respectively. For instance, one of the rows could have
eight sensor elements while another row has a larger or smaller
number of sensor elements. Likewise, one of the columns could have
eight sensor elements while other columns have a larger or smaller
number of sensor elements. Accordingly, the matrix formation is not
limited to the example as shown in FIG. 2, and could include nearly
any combination of sensor elements arranged in rows 36 and columns
40. The matrix formation is not limited to including the
rectangularly shaped configuration of sensor elements 34. In yet
another example, the matrix formation can include the sensor
elements 34 arranged in an "X" type shape, "T" type shape, or the
like.
Turning now to FIG. 3, the sensor elements 34 will be described in
more detail. It is to be appreciated that while FIG. 3 depicts only
one sensor element 34, the remaining, unshown sensor elements 34
may be similar or identical in shape, structure, and function as
the sensor element 34 shown in FIG. 3. Moreover, the sensor element
34 is not shown in attachment with the supporting material 32 for
illustrative purposes and to more clearly depict portions of the
sensor element 34. However, in operation, the sensor elements 34
will be supported by (e.g., attached to) the supporting material
32.
Each sensor element 34 further includes a transmitter 52. The
transmitter 52 is supported (e.g., fixed) to the supporting
material 32 and spaced a distance away from the outer surface 18 of
the test object 12. The transmitter 52 can transmit one or more
signals 53, such as energy, pulses, and/or other impulses, into the
test object 12. As is generally known, the transmitter 52 can be
controlled such that the signal 53 has various timings, durations,
shapes, etc. Similarly, the signal 53 includes any number of
frequencies, depending on the material of the test object 12. It is
to be appreciated that the signal 53 is somewhat generically
depicted in FIG. 3 as a straight line. In operation, the signal 53
need not travel along a linear path, and could include bends or the
like as a result of being transmitted into the test object 12.
Each sensor element 34 further includes a receiver 54 attached to
the supporting material 32. The receiver 54 is supported (e.g.,
fixed) to the supporting material 32 and spaced a distance away
from the outer surface 18 of the test object 12. The receiver 54
can receive the reflected signals 53 from the transmitter 52. In
particular, the receivers 54 of each of the sensor elements 34
receive the signals 53 after the signals 53 have reflected from
within the test object 12. The receiver 54 is spaced a distance
away from the transmitter 52. In one example, to further improve
transmission and reception of the signal 53, the receiver 54 is
separated from the transmitter 52 by an acoustic barrier 56. The
acoustic barrier 56 is somewhat generically depicted, as it is to
be understood that the acoustic barrier 56 can comprise a number of
different structures. In one example, the acoustic barrier 56
includes a cork material or the like, though any number of
structures and materials are envisioned.
The signal 53 is used to detect a characteristic 60 of the test
object 12. In the shown example of FIG. 3, the characteristic 60
includes corrosion in the test object 12. However, the
characteristic 60 is not limited to including corrosion, and may
further include imperfections (flaws, cracks, voids, inclusions,
etc.), dimensions (wall thickness, length, etc.), or the like.
Indeed, the characteristic 60 is somewhat generically depicted in
FIG. 3 as it is to be appreciated that the characteristic 60
represents any number of items to be detected. Further, while the
characteristic 60 is shown to be positioned at a wall of the test
object 12 (e.g., an inner wall), the characteristic 60 could be
positioned entirely within the walls of the test object 12.
In operation, the sensor elements 34 detect both the
presence/absence of the characteristic 60 (e.g., corrosion, etc.),
and can map the location of the characteristic 60 in the test
object 12. For example, the transmitter 52 transmits the signal 53
into the test object 12. The signal 53 passes from the transmitter
52 and at least partially into the test object 12 (signal 53
represented in dashed-line form within the test object 12). The
signal 53 may at least partially reflect from within the test
object 12. In the shown example, the signal 53 can reflect from the
characteristic 60 of the test object 12. The signal 53 may
completely reflect off the characteristic 60 or, in other examples,
may only partially reflect off the characteristic 60. The portion
of the signal 53 that is reflected off the characteristic 60 is
received with the receiver 54. Based on the reception of the signal
53 by the receiver 54, the ultrasonic sensor assembly 10 can detect
the presence/absence and location of the characteristic 60 on the
curved wall. In particular, information pertaining to the signal 53
received by the receiver 54 is sent to the controller 20. As is
generally known, the controller 20 can analyze the signal 53 to
determine the presence/absence and location of the characteristic
60.
Turning now to FIG. 4, the ultrasonic sensor assembly 10 is shown
in the process of mapping the characteristics 60 (e.g., corrosion)
of the test object 12. In particular, the sensor array 30 is
positioned in proximity to the outer surface 18 of the test object
12. The sensor array 30 is then moved with respect to the test
object 12. The sensor array 30 can be moved in a variety of
directions. For example, the sensor array 30 can be moved in a
first direction 80 that extends along a length of the test object
12. Similarly, the sensor array 30 could be moved in a second
direction 82 that is substantially transverse to the length of the
test object 12. In further examples, the sensor array 30 is not
limited to being moved in the first direction 80 or the second
direction 82, and instead could be moved at an angle (e.g.,
45.degree. angle, etc.) with respect to the first direction 80 and
second direction 82.
As the sensor array 30 is moved along the test object 12, the
transmitters 52 of each of the sensor elements 34 in the sensor
array 30 are triggered to transmit the signals 53. In one example,
the transmitters 52 of all of the sensor elements 34 are triggered
to transmit the signals 53 simultaneously. In another example, the
transmitters 52 of the sensor elements 34 are not triggered
simultaneously, and instead, may be triggered separately, such as
by triggering only a portion of the transmitters 52 followed by
another portion of the transmitters 52 to transmit the signals 53.
Indeed, it is to be appreciated that the transmitters 52 of the
sensor elements 34 can be triggered to transmit the signals 53 in
any number of combinations (e.g., simultaneously or
non-simultaneously). The receivers 54 of each of the sensor
elements 34 will receive the respective signal sent from that
transmitter 52 of the same sensor element 34.
The sensor elements 34 can be used to detect and map the location
of the characteristics 60 in the test object 12. For example, the
controller 20 may include an electronic representation of the test
object 12, such as a two-dimensional or three-dimensional
representation of the test object 12. As is generally known, the
controller 20, in operative association with the sensor array 30,
can correlate the location of the sensor array 30 respective to the
test object 12 with the electronic representation of the test
object 12. The controller 20 tracks the sensor array 30 as the
sensor array 30 moves along the outer surface 18 of the test object
12, such as in the first direction 80 and/or second direction (or
other directions). The sensor array 30 can detect the
characteristics 60 of the test object 12 as the sensor array 30 is
moved along the test object 12 and convey this information to the
controller 20. These characteristics 60 are then mapped and stored
by the controller 20 with respect to the electronic representation
of the test object 12. Accordingly, the controller 20 can map and
plot the characteristics 60 of the test object 12 (as detected by
the sensor array 30) on the electronic representation as the sensor
array 30 is moved along the test object 12.
By providing the ultrasonic sensor assembly 10 with the sensor
array 30, the test object 12 can be more quickly and accurately
analyzed. In particular, the sensor array 30 will detect the
characteristics 60 of the test object 12 and map these
characteristics on the electronic representation of the test object
12. The sensor array 30 has a larger area, thus allowing for a
larger detection range of the test object 12 at one location.
Further, providing the plurality of sensor elements 34 in the
sensor array 30 gives more accurate detection and mapping of the
characteristics 60.
The invention has been described with reference to the example
embodiments described above. Modifications and alterations will
occur to others upon a reading and understanding of this
specification. Example embodiments incorporating one or more
aspects of the invention are intended to include all such
modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope
of the appended claims.
* * * * *